I Think I'm Nesting

We're getting ready for little Austin to come! I've been trying to work as much as possible, but when you have a bowling ball under your shirt it makes getting close to mouths a little tough. In my spare time I have been getting the nursery ready. All I have to say is "Ta-Da!" Please note the paper lanterns. They were really hard to hang and they're still trying to straighten out. (I'm still proud of them) We've decided to go with a polka dot theme for the room. Our little guy does not have his own room- he's being forced to have his room combined with the office. We're still trying to downsize on all of our stuff. We're trying to decide if we really need all of our old tests and homework. I guess we still think we need them since they're still in his room. Maybe we'll change our minds before he comes... or the next baby. Andrew thinks that the walk in closet would make a fine little bedroom for Austin and he's a little bitter he's infringing on his territory. :) It's been fun finding little accessories- like my dot rugs! I'm especially proud of the crib bedding. With lots of help from my wonderful Mother-in-law, Rinda, I was able to make the crib quilt, bumper, and glider cover. I was trying to be "cheap" about the bedding and make my own, but I ended up purchasing a sewing machine. Woops :) So ready or not Austin, we're ready for you to come!

Don't you hate it when...

Your Balloons sag? We went to the Plano balloon festival this evening. There was so much traffic that we ended up driving in the car and chasing the balloons as they touched down. We didn't get to see all of the balloons, but we avoided the hoards of people and the walking. (both of which I have been avoiding lately) Sorry for the Hooters picture, but we couldn't resist... Couldn't be a family friendly event without a hooters balloon!

Advice anyone?

I have now hit 32 weeks. WooHoo! Looking a little more like Buddha every day- and yes, i am proud of that. My problem is, I'm realizing that I have no idea what is coming. To all my female (and male if they feel so inclined) friends- what on earth do contractions feel like? Is it one of those things that once you have one you know you have? I'm getting ready to fly home and want to make sure I recognize any "caution" signs.

Obsessed?

Okay everyone, I'm admitting that I have a problem. I'm not sure if I'm obsessed or addicted, but it's confession time. I have spent the last month addicted to craigslist. I've been blown away at how expensive baby gear gets! How much of this stuff do people actually use? Anyway, this obsession initially started when I was looking for cribs online. I started comparing prices between target, walmart, pottery barn, and I decided to try Craigslist. I started finding these great deals on cribs... and that quickly spiraled downward with a glider, changing table, travel system, baby bjorn, swing and two bouncy chairs. My thrifty side got the better of me and I couldn't pass up a good deal! I have been lucky that all of the gear is in VERY good condition and some of it has never been used. My grand total? Less than $300. I think Andrew will be grateful to have his Saturdays back to normal rather than waiting to see if we can go make a "pickup". I keep telling him he will be grateful for all of this stuff, but I don't think he'll really understand until we have a little screamer too. Here are a few photos after I started to get everything put away. I still have miles to go, but I think this is a start! We accidently stole the toy that's hanging on the side of the crib... woops! It was in one of the changing table baskets and I'm not driving an hour to take it back. The Glider is in the process of being painted and covered- You get the idea. After this, I have been banned from "projects" until we are in a house. (Or, I just have to keep them a seceret from Andrew) I should also add that people have been very generous to our little family. I met one lady who was just looking to cut her losses and gave the travel system, 2 bases, 2 bouncers, a swing, and the bjorn- for practically nothing. She even offered to help us out with the baby and keep our contact information so she can give us her hand me downs later on. On top of her sweet generosity, she is also a neat freak. Score for the Barons! Thanks, for letting me talk about my problem. Hopefully I'm finished... for a little while :0)

Batty Barons

For Labor Day we decided to travel down to Austin and San Antonio. We had so much fun! It is so nice to get away from our stinky apartment and take a couple of days to see the rest of Texas! We started the trip by going to downtown Austin so we could watch the largest urban bat colony fly out from under a bridge. Don’t worry… we didn’t get rabies, but we did see 1.5 million bats fly. It was pretty neat! Our pictures didn't turn out because we were trying to take pictures of black bats at night... but you get the idea. We also went to San Antonio and checked out the Alamo and the Riverwalk. We really didn't go with any expectations and we were pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was. Spring break 2009 anyone? Hint Hint... We watched an IMAX about the Alamo so we would know what we were seeing and one thing we learned was that Davey Crockett was killed at the Alamo. We're becoming history buffs (albeit very slowly.) This was what I was MOST excited for! There was WAY too much to see inside, but I look forward to going back soon. This is random- I know, but we think these cows make Oreos. Study the picture- don't they look like Oreo cows?

99 days to go!

I have been sending the belly pictures to the family every now and then, but I've had a few requests to see the "fatness". Andrew and I chose the blog theme song together. We had ourselves a pretty good laugh- I hope you do too! Also, I'm proud to announce that I still have an innie! (This is NOT going to last long) We're now taking bets on when it will pop. Any guesses? I think this little guy has finally earned himself a name. After hundreds of suggestions there is only ONE name that we can agree on. Drum roll please....... Austin. We're pretty sure we'll call him Austin Andrew Baron. We'll see when he gets here.

What a wonderful Welcome Home Weekend!

Spencer (Andrew's brother) came home from his mission in Korea last weekend. He was a really good sport about having major jet lag, and a family that was ready to party. He told us that everything about coming home was different... With Spencer still in full missionary mode we all decided to go for some Indian food. The Baron's have been going to this same restaurant for many years and have always had the same great experience... but this dinner was slightly different. Just as we were settling into our appetizers SHE- appeared. The Belly dancer. I imagine that she was good at dancing, but we all felt so bad that this girl was giving tame lap dances in front of Spencer. (He hadn't been released for more than 24 hours) The real kicker was when the 5 year old kids at the table next to us started to put dollar bills in the dancer's skirt. Poor guy, but hilarious memory.

The "Dancer" in the flesh. Secretly , Andrew and I wanted to go and dance with her...

Now, you can't think I'm a bad mother after looking at this picture. I got an extra large life jacket that gave Baby extra padding for the ride. It was SO much fun! Thanks Peter! Peter also rented a pontoon boat. We think it was more of a "booze cruise" boat because it didn't go over about 10ish mph and it had a safety cord that attached to the driver.

Here is Peter pretending to Booze it up on the Booze Cruise!

Here is Rebecca being glamorous!

For those of you who have seen "Talladega Nights" this one is for you! We flew out of Birmingham and this was along the highway. We weren't expecting such entertaining scenery. We had a wonderful weekend, and we can't wait to see the family again soon!